sunday:11-08-2019The United Arab Emirates

Corresponding to:General Authority of

Islamic Affairs & Endowments

From the Character of Prophet Ibrahim (peace and blessings be upon him)

The First Khutbahالله أكبر الله أكبر الله أكبر،الله أكبر الله أكبر الله أكبر،

الله أكبر الله أكبر الله أكبر، وللهالحمد

Allah is greater, Allah is greater, Allah is greater.Allah is greater, Allah is greater, Allah is greater.Allah is greater, Allah is greater, Allah is greater.

[Greater than all besides]And to Allah is all Praise.

Allah is the greatest of all that can be called great. And to Him is all praise of anything that can be praised. And whilst His glory is utterly indescribable, we will continually praise Him throughout our day, throughout the morning and the evening. And we testify that there is nothing worthy of worship except Allah, the Most-Merciful, the Most-Compassionate. And we testify that our Sayyid, our Prophet, Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) was the last and seal

of the Prophets and Messengers. Fulfilling the call of his forefather Ibrahim, in being a Mercy unto all the worlds. May Allah send prayers and blessings upon him and upon his family and his companions, all of them. And upon all of those who followed them in the best of ways until the Last Day.I advise you, dutiful servants of Allah, and myself, to adhere to a heartfelt consciousness (Taqwa) of Allah. For He, the Most Gloriously Transcendent, states:

وإبراهيم إذ قال لقومه اعبدوا الله واتقوه ذلكم خير لكم إن كنتم

تعلمونAnd [We sent] Abraham, when he said to his

people, "Worship Allah and fear Him. That is best for you, if you should know. [Qur’an: 29:16]

O Worshippers: We ask Allah, exalted be He, that He bring about for us the likes of Eid-ul-Adha, one after another and that we be in the best of states each time; in true happiness and contentment. We pray that each Eid marks for us a point when we increase in goodness and closeness to our Lord, that each Eid, become one of righteousness and spirituality. For Eid-ul-Adha is when we put forth the sacrifice as a way of testifying to our gratitude to Allah, the Rahman, and as a way of drawing near to

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Him, the Noble, the Mannan (Giver of Blessings). Indeed Allah commanded our Sayyid, our Prophet Muhammad, to perform the sacrifice stating:

فصل لربك وانحرSo pray to your Lord and sacrifice [to Him alone].

[Qur’an: 108:2]In its deeper form and meaning, the sacrifice is the Sunnah of the intimate friend of Allah, the Khalil of the Rahman, the Patriarch of the Prophets, also our Sayyid, Ibrahim (peace and blessings be upon him). Lest we forget, it was from his progeny that Allah brought forth generations and generations of Prophets and Messengers, saying about him:

يته النبوة والكتاب وجعلنا في ذرAnd We [gave to Him Isaac and Jacob] and placed

in his descendants Prophethood and Scripture. [Qur’an: 29:27]

Just reflect, there is no Prophet mentioned in the Qur’an after Ibrahim (peace and blessings be upon him), except that particular Prophet would be from his progeny. So the family of Ibrahim is a family of Prophets, consisting of Prophets such as Ismail, Isaaq, Jacob, Moses and Jesus (peace and blessings be upon them all), all the way until the last of the Prophets, the seal of them all, our Sayyid, our Prophet, Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him). All of these Prophets as brothers were inheritors of their forefather Ibrahim (peace and blessings be upon him), being

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inheritors of his character, morals, values and spiritual state. In this manner they serve as examples in their emulation of his expansiveness and his embracing love, and they encouraged their followers to emobdy the same. الله أكبر الله أكبر الله ،أكبر

الله أكبر الله أكبر، ولله الحمدAllah is greater, Allah is greater, Allah is greater.

Allah is greater, Allah is greater, [Greater than all besides]

And to Allah is all Praise.O Believers:Indeed the rank and station of the father of the Prophets, Ibrahim (peace and blessings be upon him), is a tremendous station. For it was Allah that chose him and honoured him, as He states, exalted be He: ولقد اصطفيناه في الدنيا وإنه في

الحين اآلخرة لمن الصAnd We had chosen him in this world, and indeed he, in the Hereafter, will be among the righteous.

[Qur’an: 2:130]This is because Ibrahim was an exemplar in his following the command of his Lord; as demonstrated in his submission and in his worship, and in his sincerity in his worship:

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إذ قال له ربه أسلم قال أسلمتلرب العالمين

When his Lord said to him, "Submit", he said "I have submitted [in Islam] to the Lord of the

worlds." [Qur’an: 2:131]For this depth of submission, Allah took Ibrahim as a Khalil (an intimate friend), about this Allah says:

اخليل إبراهيم الله واتخذAnd Allah took Abraham as an intimate friend.

[Qur’an: 4:125]Note that this was a title of love; for to be a Khalil is of the highest of stations in love. It is also an indication of the degree of certainty Ibrahim (peace and blessings be upon him) had of Allah in his heart, and the strength of his faith. As Allah says: وكذلك نري إبراهيم موات واألرض وليكffون ffملكوت الس من الموقنين

And thus did We show Abraham the realm of the heavens and the earth that he would be among the

certain [in faith] [Qur’an: 6:75]In addition to this, Allah gifted Ibrahim (peace and blessings be upon him) the soundness of intellect and wisdom, as He says: ولقد آتينا إبراهيم رشده من قبل

وكنا به عالمين5

And We had certainly given Abraham his sound judgement before, and We were of him well-

Knowing. [Qur’an: 21:51]Hence his speech was strong and would cause whoever heard it to be overcome and contented, for it contained the highest degree of wisdom. As Allah says:

تنا آتيناها إبراهيم على وتلك حجقومه

And that was Our [conclusive] argument which We gave Abraham against his people. [Qur’an: 6:83]

O Servants of Allah:Indeed Ibrahim has been described with the greatest of attributes and the most noble of character. For he was described as being always oft-returning to his Lord; being soft, forbearing and gentle in his nature, hence Allah referred to him with the words:

اه منيب إن إبراهيم لحليم أوIndeed, Abraham was forbearing, grieving and

[frequently] returning [to Allah ]. [Qur’an: 11:75]Let us note that the ability to be forbearing is a trait that is beloved to Allah and which He is pleased with. Hence the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said to one of his companions:

ه:إن فيك خصلتين يحبهما الل الحلم واألناة

"You possess two qualities that Allah loves. These are clemency and tolerance." [Muslim]

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He was also characterised by sincerity (Sidq), such that Allah referred to him with the title Siddiq (the sincere one), saying about him: إنه كان صديقا نبيا

Indeed, he was a man of truth and a prophet.[Qur’an: 19:41]

The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) also said: دق ffجل يص وما يزال الردق حتى يكتب عند الل ى الص هويتحر

صديقاIf a man continues to speak the truth and makes

sincerity his object he will be recorded as ‘a sincere one’ before Allah. [Bukhari and Muslim]

Ibrahim was always sincere in his promise, loyal to his oaths, about these attributes Allah said:

وإبراهيم الذي وفAnd [of] Abraham, who fulfilled [his obligations]

[Qur’an: 53:37]In other words he was loyal, and fulfilled his oath to his Lord concerning everything he was entrusted with. He was also extremely generous, always open-handed in his generosity. About this generosity, the Qur’an notes an example, wherein Allah states:

هل أتاك حديث ضيف إبراهيمإذ دخلوا عليه فقالوا* المكرمين

*سالما قال سالم قوم منكرون 7

*فراغ إلى أهله فجاء بعجل سمين به إليهم قال أال تأكلون فقر

Has there reached you the story of the honoured guests of Abraham? * When they entered upon him

and said, "[We greet you with] peace." He answered, "[And upon you] peace, [you are] a

people unknown.* Then he went to his family and came with a fat [roasted] calf * And placed it near

them; he said, "Will you not eat?"[Qur’an: 51:24-27]

So he greeted the guests with a pleasant face, seating them in the best of places and hastened to prepare food for them, choosing for them the best and finest of what he had to offer; serving them himself and demonstrating the highest rank of honour for them.O lovers of the Khalil of the Rahman, Ibrahim:Indeed the life of Ibrahim (peace and blessings be upon him) was full of tremendous achievements. From them is the building of the Sacred House in Mecca, which Allah has made an exemplary symbol for mankind and a trust. He also called upon his Lord at its site saying:

منهم رسوال فيهم وابعث ربنا ويعلمهم آياتك عليهم يتلو

إنك ويزكيهم والحكمة الكتاب الحكيم العزيز أنت

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Our Lord, and send among them a messenger from themselves who will recite to them Your verses and teach them the Book and wisdom and purify them. Indeed, You are the Exalted in Might, the Wise."

[Qur’an: 2:129]So Allah responded to Ibrahim’s dua, and sent forth for us and for the entirety of mankind, the last of His Prophets: Our Sayyid, our Prophet, Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him). The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) was of those who most resembled his forefather Ibrahim (peace and blessings be upon him) in his outward appearance, and in his inward character, for the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: إبراهيم ولد أشبه أنا به

And I [Prophet Muhammad] resemble Prophet Ibrahim more than any of his offspring does.

[Qur’an: 2:129]He was also of those who most resembled him in his outward worship and his overall disposition, effectively emulating Allah’s saying: ثم أوحينا إليك أن اتبع ملة إبراهيم

حنيفا وما كان من المشركينThen We revealed to you, [O Muhammad], to

follow the religion of Abraham, inclining toward truth; and he was not of those who associate with

Allah. [Qur’an: 16:123]

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So in similar regard, our following the Prophet, entails that we too follow and seek to emulate the way of the Prophet Ibrahim (peace and blessings be upon him) in his worship and in his reverence for his Lord. To seek to emulate the Prophet Ibrahim in his sincerity, in his character, in his loyalty, in his patience and perseverance, in his nobility, in his instruction and the guidance he gave his offspring. All of this, so we can be from those whom Allah speaks of when He says:

إن أولى الناس بإبراهيم للذينوهذا النبي والذين آمنوا اتبعوه

والله ولي المؤمنينIndeed, the most worthy of Abraham among the

people are those who followed him [in submission to Allah ] and this prophet, and those who believe [in his message]. And Allah is the ally of the believers.

[ Qur’an: 3:68]So O Allah make us of those who follow Ibrahim (peace and blessings be upon him) and who follow our Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him). Such that we follow them in their values, in their morals, in their characters. And assist us all in the way of piety and obedience. Piety towards Your trustworthy Messenger, Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him), the ability to be dutiful towards those You have commanded us to be dutiful towards, in accordance with Your words: O you who have believed, obey

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Allah and obey the Messenger and those in authority among you. [Qur’an: 4:59]

الله أكبر،الله أكبر الله أكبر ولله الحمدالله أكبر الله أكبر

May Allah bless me and bless you with the Noble Qur’an and with the Way (Sunnah) of His Noble Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him). I say this, and I seek forgiveness for me and for you, so seek His forgiveness, for He is the All-Forgiving and the All-Merciful.

The Second Khutbahالله أكبر الله أكبر الله أكبر،الله أكبر الله أكبر الله أكبر،

الله أكبر الله أكبر الله أكبر، وللهالحمد

Allah is greater, Allah is greater, Allah is greater.Allah is greater, Allah is greater, Allah is greater.Allah is greater, Allah is greater, Allah is greater.

[Greater than all besides]And to Allah is all Praise.

And I bear witness, with every facet of my being, that there is nothing worthy of absolute love, adoration and worship, except Allah, the Uniquely One, having no

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competing second in that One-ness. And I bear witness that our Leader and Master, our Prophet, Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon his name), is the perfect example of dutiful servanthood towards Allah, and is His sent Messenger unto the entirety of the created universe. O Allah: We ask you to bestow Your peace, blessings and grace upon him; his family; all of his companions; and whomsoever follows and seeks to emulate him in the best of ways till the Last Day. I advise you, O servants of Allah, and myself, with Taqwa of Allah (glorified be He). O Worshippers:Indeed these days of Eid for us are from the greatest of days, for the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) is reported to have said:

تبارك الله عند أيامال أعظم إن النحر يوم وتعالى

Indeed the greatest day in Allah's sight is the Day of Sacrifice (Nahr) [Abu Dawud]

Know that the best of what a Muslim can put forward on this day is the sacrifice of an animal. It is recommended from the one sacrificing to eat from the animal that he sacrifices, and to give some of it as a gift to his friends and companions. It is also recommended to give some of it as charity to those who may be in need, so that happiness and joy on this day can spread. In this regard it is also recommended to give gifts to one’s family and children and to visit each other,

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inculcating joy and delight amongst hearts. We ask Allah that He accept this from us, and from you, as good deeds and beautiful words. And with this, let us send our peace and blessings upon the one we have been commanded to send our peace and blessings upon, as Allah says: Indeed, Allah confers blessing upon the Prophet, and His angels [ask Him to do so]. O you who have believed, ask [ Allah to confer] blessing upon him and ask [ Allah to grant him] peace. [Qur’an: 33:56]. So, O Allah, bestow Your peace, blessings and grace upon our Master, our Prophet and upon his family and all of his companions. And may Allah be pleased with the Righteous Caliphs: Abu Bakr, Umar, Uthman, Ali; and the noble companions of the Prophet, the Sahaba, may Allah be pleased with all of them. O Allah, we ask You for soundness in our faith, and trust in good character, and a true success that will be followed by eternal bliss. O Allah, we ask You for Your mercy, for true prosperity, for Your redemptive forgiveness and Your pleasure. O Allah, make us from those who are obedient, respectful, those who venerate their parents, honouring their mothers and their fathers, embodying excellent character towards their families and wider societies. O Allah, grant success to the UAE President HH Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan and guide him to all that is good. O Allah, we seek Your favour in granting him continued good health and care. O Allah,

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we also ask You to grant success to the Vice-President, the Crown Prince and his Brothers, their Highnesses, the Rulers of the Emirates. O Allah, we ask You to forgive all of the Muslims, both the men and women, the living and dead. O Allah, bestow your mercy on the late Sheikh Zayed, Sheikh Maktoum and the other late UAE Sheikhs who have passed on to the mercy of their Lord. O Lord, grant them from your abundant mercy and bless them with Your kindness and satisfaction. O Allah, we ask you to admit them into Paradise, being given bounties therein without being taken to account. O Lord, forgive and show mercy on our parents, relatives and whosoever may have a right upon us.O Allah, we ask You, from your loving kindness, for the immensity of your forgiveness, for the reward of all righteousness, for the safety and protection from all sin. O Allah, we ask you for the ultimate success in attaining Paradise, and the ultimate respite in being saved from the Fire. O Allah, do not allow us to sin except that You forgive us, nor to have any worry except that you relieve us therein, nor for any debt to come upon us except that You see it compensated, nor for there to be any sick amongst us except that You see them healed. Let there be no dead, except that You have covered them in Your mercy, and let there be no pressing need, amongst any of us, except that You see it met and fulfilled. O most Noble of the Noble, You

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are capable over all things, and You are the most generous in responding to those who call upon You.We ask You, O Allah, the Lord of all domains, to continue blessing the UAE with stability, welfare, increase in its bounties, knowledge, civilization, happiness, beauty and tolerance. O Allah, please continue blessing it with safety and security. O Allah, have mercy on the honourable martyrs of our nation and gather them with the ones upon whom Allah has bestowed favour of the Prophets. O Allah, make the dwelling of the martyrs, their families, parents and relatives with the righteous. Indeed, You are ever-responsive to those who call upon You. O Allah, grant to the people of Yemen that which is good, and unite them upon that which is True and Sacred, and provide for them all manners of prosperity, O most Noble of the Noble.O Allah, spread peace and security amongst all the Muslim nations, and the entirety of the world. O our Lord, we ask You for the best of this World, the best of the Hereafter, that You will protect us from the punishment of the Fire, and that You enter us into Your paradise with the righteous. Indeed You are the Most Generous and Most Forgiving.And may every year find you in the best of health and spirit. May the peace, blessings and mercy of Allah be upon you.

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